The Wall Street Journal-20080204-James Hardie Industries Names New Chairman

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James Hardie Industries Names New Chairman

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MELBOURNE, Australia -- James Hardie Industries NV, the largest seller of home siding in the U.S., said Michael Hammes succeeded Don DeFosset as its chairman.

Mr. DeFosset, who stepped into the role in April, is resigning as chairman because of other board and business commitments but will remain as a board member until Aug. 31, the company said.

Mr. Hammes, 65 years old, has been a nonexecutive director of the Sydney-based company since February 2007. He has held senior positions in the medical-products, hardware and home-improvement, and automobile industries and as a director of Sunrise Medical and Navistar International Corp., it said.

Another director and former acting chairman, John Barr, will resign effective March 31 to spend more time on other board and business commitments, Hardie said.